Two weeks ago, former hard-line Saudi clerics Nasser al-Fahd and Ali al- Khudeir took to the airwaves to condemn acts of violence in the kingdom. Their action goes to the heart of a debate that so far has been woefully insufficient: the proper role that orthodox Islam should...

Peace talks between the Nepalese government and Maoist rebels collapsed in August 2003 and the tiny Himalayan kingdom is facing further turmoil. Negotiations appear to be the only solution to the protracted conflict between the rebels and the government. The level of...